Desire After Dark: Lords of Pleasure

by Jo Carlisle

Soren stopped a couple of feet from him, dark hair blowing across his face. He pushed it away impatiently and sighed. “I know you don’t want to talk about it, but is there anything I can do?”

  “I wish there was,” he said, trying to keep his voice even. “I was an idiot, and I paid for my stupidity twice over. What else is there to know?”

  “A lot, from where I stand.” Soren clasped his shoulder. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this bitter. It scares me, bro.”

  “I’ll get over it.” His smile felt ugly and wrong on his face. “And I’m going to love every second of it.”

  Soren looked alarmed. “What are you going to do?”

  “You mean who.”

  “Crap. Come on, Luc,” his brother protested. “Revenge sex is never a great idea. If our guests here get wind of your attitude, or are dissatisfied with their stay, we’ll lose business.”

  “Has anyone complained?”

  “Not yet, but you’ve been pretty surly. I don’t mean to sound unsympathetic to your pain, but the economy is in the toilet. We can’t afford to take our success for granted by pissing off the clientele.”

  “Thanks for your concern,” he snapped, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “That didn’t sound the least bit unsympathetic. I’ll make sure I keep my sucky attitude far away from our paying guests.”

  “I didn’t mean—”

  “Fuck you, Soren.” He gave his brother a nasty smile. “Hope you don’t take that as being too unsympathetic or anything.”

  “Dammit, Luc—wait!”

  But he was already striding away, putting distance between himself and his brothers, and the whole gods-damned resort, as fast as possible. He’d retreated to the outdoors in the first place because the walls were closing in. But it hadn’t helped. It seemed he was trapped in an invisible box, and the universe wasn’t big enough to let him breathe.

  He skirted the edge of the pool area, flashing what he hoped would pass as a flirtatious smile to the guests lounging there. Two of them were the couple for whom he’d played a “naughty neighbor” fantasy last night, watching while they fucked. An easy-enough scene that didn’t require him to participate when his heart wasn’t in it.

  The couple returned his smile. All he really wanted to do was snarl at them and all of the guests to bite his ass. For once, sweet and sunny Luc had left the fucking building.

  The fake smile fell off his face the instant he was out of their sight. He kept walking, eyeing the tree line at the edge of the sculpted property and wondering whether there were any more werewolves running around. He almost wished there were so he could tangle with something that would put up a good fight. That he hadn’t brought his sword and would promptly get eaten—with nobody around to save him this time—was a huge drawback to that sort of thinking.

  He walked past the edge of the trees, inhaling the scent of fresh earth, animals, and the swamplands not too far away. This was his home, and he wouldn’t leave here again—not ever.

  Suddenly his anger drained like air from a balloon. Despair almost sent him to his knees. Despite his sense of self-preservation, he knew that one day before too long, his brothers would lay his body to rest for good, right here in New Orleans, in the family crypt. Because he couldn’t face living alone for eternity. Not after having tasted love and knowing he’d never have another mate.

  But that day wasn’t today.

  Should you ever find yourself in need of me, simply call my name. I’ll hear you, no matter where you are.

  Leaning against a tree trunk, he froze, staring into the dappled sunlight. He shouldn’t do it. The demon was a friend of Kassandra’s, and as such should be off-limits. It was unwise to cultivate any connection with her realm and the fucked-up people in it.

  But the demon might have some answers, such as why she’d been so cruel and how she could’ve been so false. Again, he replayed those awful moments in the parlor, recalling how suddenly she’d turned on him.

  “Legion,” he said in a normal tone. Nothing. So he tried again, louder. “Legion!”

  “You don’t have to shout.”

  In spite of himself, he started. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to the reappearing thing.

  The demon’s hot gaze raked him from his hair to his boots, leaving a blazing trail of fuck-me-now in its wake. “Hello, pretty boy.”

  “I’m sorry. That’s not why I called you.”

  The desire on Legion’s face faded just slightly. “Let me guess—this is about your falling-out with Kassandra?”

  “My—are you kidding?” He gaped at his friend in disbelief. “She lied to me and played me like a violin the whole time, and you call that a falling-out?”

  “The politics of gods and monsters. What can you do?” A shrug emphasized that cryptic statement.

  “What the hell does that mean?”

  “Luc…” The demon suddenly appeared weary. “Can’t you simply accept the situation and move on?”

  “Maybe I could if you tell me what the situation is!” he yelled. “All I know is that the brave, straightforward, passionate female who rescued me did a complete one-eighty. I want to know why!”

  “What did she do?”

  “For starters, she hid the fact that I was supposed to die the day the werewolf attacked me and her job was to take me to Valhalla to serve Odin.”

  The demon shuddered in disgust. “Be very glad she went against his orders. That man wouldn’t know a fun time if you shoved it up his ass with scented lube.”

  “Yeah, well, that wasn’t what I was upset about. She said she’d been using me the whole time I was there, just pretending to fall for me.” He gave a laugh that didn’t cover the agony inside. “She was convincing. Said I was basically just a nice fuck to pass the time because she was bored.”

  “And you believed her?”

  “No, and I told her that. But she asked why I thought she’d been alone for two thousand years. She said she just plays with men and dumps them for sport.”

  Legion sighed. “Look, Kass hasn’t confided in me about your breakup. But you’re right. That certainly doesn’t sound like the Kass I know—to be so cruel and hurtful. I’ve never seen her treat anyone the way she claimed she did you, fucking and dumping someone for sport. It doesn’t make any sense.”

  “Then why the hell did she push me away?”

  “I don’t know. But it sounds like she’s making excuses. Hiding something.”

  “Hiding what?” Frustration grew where hurt had been. And hope tried to push tentative new shoots through the tangle of weeds.

  “I wish I knew.” The demon studied him. “Would you like for me to talk to her, try to get her to open up?”

  “Would you? It’s asking a lot, considering…”

  “Considering I’d rather take what my stupid friend tossed away and have you for myself? Yes, it is asking quite a bit.” His wings rustled, and he turned up his nose. “But what can I say? I’m a sucker for the lovelorn.”

  “Thanks. This means a lot to me.” He meant that.

  “No problem. Really.”

  “I’ll be at the house, that way,” he said, pointing. “Just ask someone at the resort. They can tell you where I am.”

  “Will do. Back to you as soon as I can.”

  Legion vanished. Adrift, Luc wandered for a bit more and then headed back. Why had he wasted so much valuable time being angry when he should’ve been assimilating the facts? He’d been too hurt before now to do that, before Legion helped him see things a little more clearly.

  Or start to try, anyway. But he couldn’t fathom what the fuck was going on.

  Skirting the pool again, he managed to avoid the guests and head into the main residence where the family and staff resided. It was strictly off-limits to resort guests, and Luc was especially grateful for the refuge.

  At least he was until his oldest brother caught him on the way in.

  “I want to talk to you, bro. In the living room.”

  Luc pinched the br
idge of his nose in aggravation. “I just went a round with Soren. Do we have to do this?”

  “I’m not going to get on your case, I promise.”

  He wasn’t going to be allowed any escape until he spoke with Aldric. He might as well bite the bullet. “All right, fine. After you.”

  Following after his brother’s huge form, he tried to shove down a twinge of trepidation. Nobody fucked with Aldric Fontaine and lived to tell the tale. With his massive build and long blond hair, darker than Luc’s own, he could’ve passed for a Viking back in the old days. He certainly had the bloodlust for it.

  Aldric made himself comfortable in a stuffed chair and Luc followed suit, taking one across from him with the coffee table between them. Aldric heaved a deep breath, looking troubled, which wasn’t so unusual. Being the Council’s only vampire representative in the Southern Coalition had its share of stressors. That on top of their family problems of late was almost too much for any male. If he’d been human, Luc would’ve been worried about him having a heart attack at too young an age.

  “I’m concerned about you, just as Soren is. But that’s not why I need to talk to you,” Aldric began. “After our Council meeting today, Valafar caught up with me to pass along a warning.”

  Luc straightened. “That’s not exactly what I expected to hear. What sort of warning?”

  “His scouts have reported unrest among the werewolves. The wolves are congregating in an old barn about twenty miles outside of New Orleans.”

  “Shit. That’s not good.”

  “No, it’s not. We all know that werewolves rarely get along well enough to band together for any length of time. They aren’t civilized like shifters, and no part of them is human. They’re beasts that possess just enough intelligence and power to make them extremely dangerous.”

  “What does Val think they’re up to?”

  “The sole reason the weres would cooperate with one another is to destroy a common target. He believes they might be planning revenge for the wolf that was killed on our property.”

  “But he attacked me! So what if one of their mangy number lost its head in the process?”

  “Apparently it matters to them if that mangy mutt was the leader’s son.”

  Ah, fuck.

  “Val thinks they’ll come here and attack?”

  His brother nodded. “That or try to surprise us when we’re out somewhere. I think it’s a long shot, though. I doubt they could stay organized enough to pull off an assault.”

  “I agree. But we’ll be on our guard, just in case.” He paused. “Is that all you needed to talk to me about?”

  “No. I want to know how you are, and don’t bullshit me like you did Soren. Or I’ll break your face.”

  “Eloquent. Is that how you sweet-talk Jordy when you want a little piece of ass?” Jordy was Aldric’s Chosen; he was fiercely protective of the guy, and that was putting it mildly.

  “Whatever gets the job done—and don’t talk about him like that or I’ll break more than your face.” Just when Luc thought he’d managed to distract his brother, he said, “No, it didn’t work. Tell me what’s going on with you.”

  He wasn’t going to be put off any longer. So Luc told him the whole story, ending with his conversation with Legion in the woods a short time ago.

  Aldric’s brows shot up. “Legion, the demon of legend?”

  “I guess. He’s been around for ages, according to Kass. Why?”

  “Never mind.” He shook his head. “So it sounds as if all you can do now is wait.”

  “Pretty much.”

  “Give it some time. Learn the facts. I’m betting she’s protecting you from something, or thinks she is, by her actions. I’m also betting it will work out between you.”

  “You sound so sure.”

  “Vampires mate forever, Luc. There will be no one else for you until the day you die. So you’d better believe, or your existence is going to be pure hell.”

  No, it won’t. Because if there’s no hope, I’m not hanging around.

  Instead of saying that, he put on a hopeful face. “Good advice, brother. I’m sure it will all work out.”

  Aldric’s expression was suspicious, but he didn’t comment further. Luc distracted him with a question. “So, what’s up with the vibe on Legion?”

  “It’s nothing of our concern, really. If he’s the same demon, he and Valafar have some sort of bad blood between them. I don’t know the details, just the vague rumor.”

  “Huh. Legion’s never mentioned him, but that doesn’t mean anything.”

  “Getting pretty cozy with the master of evil, are we?”

  “Legion is not evil.”

  “Just misunderstood, right?” Aldric’s lips quirked.

  “You about done fucking with me?”

  “For the time being.”

  “Fantastic.” He stood. “Legion promised he’d be back later with news, so if you’d let the staff know to direct him to my quarters, that would be great.”

  “Your quarters? Why, sure.”

  Luc thought about shooting him the finger, but it wasn’t worth it. He made his way upstairs to his suite that was more like a prison than a refuge.

  Alone, he slipped off his clothes and donned a pair of flannel sleep pants, opting for no shirt. Then he padded over to a stuffed chair in the sitting area next to the windows, flopped down, drew his knees up and got comfortable. The emotion of the day was too much, and his eyes grew heavy.

  He must have fallen asleep, because the next thing he knew, a hand was on his shoulder, shaking him, but not too hard. Blinking, he tried to shake off the fog of sleep and make out the features in front of him. When his vision cleared, he found himself gazing into Legion’s gorgeous face.

  “Hey, you found me,” he said, groggy.

  “It wasn’t difficult. I just followed the trail of misery.”

  “Ha-ha. Funny. Missed your calling as a comedian, obviously.”

  “Tried that. Didn’t work out. When the people didn’t laugh, I ate them.”

  Luc stared at him.

  “I was joking, pretty boy. Satan’s balls, you’re wound tight.”

  “Yeah, sorry.” He wiped a palm down his face. “What did you find out?”

  “That our Valkyrie is taking great pains to hide from both of us. She wouldn’t even see me!”

  “Damn. But can’t you, like, poof into her room or something?”

  “I did. She wasn’t there, and her sisters refused to tell me where she went. They don’t like me very much.”

  “Maybe she went to Valhalla. Did you try there?”

  “I can’t get into Odin’s little sanctuary,” he replied drolly. “My wings are the wrong color, pretty boy.”

  “Stop calling me that.”

  “You know you love it when I do.”

  He snorted. As if he’d ever admit that. “So what now? I can’t get in without an escort, and you can’t get in, period. Damn, this is the biggest bunch of bullshit!”

  “Politics, I told you. I’ll try to get a message to her, implore her to speak to you, but that’s the best I can do.”

  “Then that’ll have to be enough, won’t it?”

  “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry for what you’re going through. I had a mate once, but…he broke our bond.” His expression was so sad, Luc felt like crap for him.

  “Then I’m sorry for you, too. He was an idiot. But hey, you’ve got me,” he said, poking the demon in the ribs through his mesh shirt. “We’re friends, right?”

  “Yes, we are.” Legion smiled. “A warning, however—demons are like puppies.”

  “There’s an image. How’s that?”

  “Once you feed us a few scraps, we’ll nip at your heels forever.”

  “I suspect there’s a lot of truth to that, but then again, isn’t that true of most of us? Everyone needs affection.”

  “Why don’t we go over there, and I’ll see that you receive your fair share.” The demon jerked his chin toward Luc’s
bed.

  Luc sighed. “That’s definitely not a good idea.”

  “Why not?”

  “Are you kidding?” The demon seemed truly perplexed, and Luc gave a bitter laugh. “Don’t you get it? Even if I never see Kass again, you want what I can’t give you. Nothing good can come from my leading you on.”

  “Is that what you’re worried about? In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a big boy,” the demon purred, sidling close. “I can take care of myself.”

  The other male’s heat, along with his heady, earthy scent, teased Luc’s nose, invading his cells. His very nearness wrapped around Luc like a cozy blanket. He had to shake himself free of the lure. “Stop it, all right?”

  “Say that like you mean it.” The demon’s breath tickled his ear.

  His cock twitched, and his lack of control pissed him off. “I’m nursing a broken heart here,” he said evenly, determined not to give in. “This isn’t right.”

  “That’s not convincing,” Legion said, walking him backward.

  The backs of his knees hit the bed and the demon pushed him down, leaping on top of him, legs straddling his waist. Luc’s pent-up anger exploded. He’d been dumped like garbage, and it hardly mattered that his rage was directed at the wrong target.

  “Don’t you ever think about anyone but yourself?” he shouted at the top of his lungs. “Get the fuck off me!”

  “Luc, calm down and listen—”

  The door burst open, banging into the wall. Sword in hand, Aldric stood there, ready to run Luc’s attacker through. Legion crouched, placing his body between Luc and the “intruder” in a protective stance, hissing, claws and fangs lengthening.

  Pulling the demon back, Luc held a hand up at Aldric. “Whoa! Okay, shit. Everybody take a breath. Aldric, this is Legion, my demon friend I was telling you about. Legion, this is my oldest brother, Aldric.”

  Aldric wasn’t easily appeased. “What was going on in here didn’t sound too friendly to me.”

  “We were having a bit of a disagreement,” Legion said stiffly.

  “That true?” Aldric asked, not taking his eyes off the demon. His stance, coiled and ready, said he wouldn’t hesitate to kill if necessary.

  Luc spoke up, attempting to smooth things over before there was bloodshed. “It’s fine, really. Go back to bed, bro.”